The young, erect Othonna parviflora stem is densely leafy for a period. Leaf-tips are here generally pointed, not rounded.

The undulations on these older, cabbage-like leaves are partly determined by the rigid lateral veins, although there is also twisting of whole leaves.

Near the leaf bases the midribs are about as thick as the peduncles of the inflorescences (Vlok and Schutte-Vlok, 2010; Manning, 2007; Bond and Goldblatt, 1984; iNaturalist).